Weighted spray nozzle



United States Patent Oflice 3,397,842 Patented Aug. 20, 1968 3,397,842WEIGHTED SPRAY NOZZLE Walter N. Frandsen, Rijeka, Yugoslavia, assignorto Universal Oil Products Company, Des Plaines, 11]., a corporation ofDelaware Filed Jan. 13, 1967, Ser. No. 609,077 Claims. (Cl. 239-206)ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A weighted spray nozzle having a liftableflat valve plate extending across the top of an open-topped housingsection so as to permit projecting a sprayed fluid stream through a full360 circle. A plurality of vanes are positioned below the valve plateand around a depending guide rod so as to provide for rotation of theplate and rod by the outgoing fluid stream.

The present invention relates to an adjustable type of spray nozzleusing a weighted and liftable valve plate and more particularly to adesign providing for the lateral spraying of a fluid stream therefromfor a full 360 circle. In addition, the improved nozzle means providesfor effecting a rotation of the liftable valve plate so that there willbe less chance of the sticking or hangingup of the valve member duringoperation.

Background of the invention There are of course many types of spraynozzles used to effect a fluid stream distribution, including thoseproviding hollow-cone or solid-cone spray patterns. However, a unitdesigned to effect a fine spray or atomization of the particular fluidstream is not necessarily a requirement in all instances. For example,one embodiment of the present invention has been utilized in connectionwith flash chambers within hydrocarbon processing systems, wherein it isdesired in each instance to spray a heated oil stream laterally anduniformly into a large vertical chamber and have it wash down along theinside wall of such chamber. Light hydrocarbon fractions are vaporizedor flashed out of the stream and carry overhead, while the heavier oilfractions carry on down the wall into the lower end of the chamber.However, in such operations where wall washing is inadequate under thehigh temperature conditions involved, it has been found that there is anundesirable excessive coking on the chamber wall.

It may therefore be considered a principal object of the presentinvention to provide an improved design for a fluid distribution nozzlewhich provides an adjustable range, full 360 spray pattern, as well asmeans for aiding free rotatability of the valve plate and a guide roddepending therefrom.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a spray nozzledesign using a horizontally projecting flange section at the top of thehousing section and below a liftable valve plate such that the fluidflow sprayed from the device is given an initial outward projectionrather than a downward flow.

Summary of the invention In a broad aspect, the present invention isdirected to a weighted spray nozzle device that is adapted to provide alaterally projecting spray fluid stream for a full 360, and such devicecomprises in combination, an open-topped housing section with a sidefluid inlet thereto, a liftable valve plate positioned over the open topof said housing section, with such valve plate having 3. depending rodmember vertically positioned within said housing, rod guide meansextending laterally within the interior of said housing section andencompassing said rod member in a sliding fit therewith, and vane meanspositioned below the underside of the valve plate whereby upward fluidflow lifting said valve plate and being sprayed peripherally therefromwill, in addition, provide a rotation to such valve plate and itsdepending rod member.

The design of a preferred embodiment of the present invention makes useof a flat laterally projecting flange around the upper edge of thehousing as a support for the liftable valve plate and, in addition, suchflange section shall be sized such that it extends beyond the edge ofthe valve plate member, whereby the sprayed fluid stream will beinitially projected laterally outward, rather than in any downwarddirection. As is noted hereinbefore, it is desirable that the liquidstream provide a substantially constant wash of the chamber wall topreclude the coking of heavy oil materials on the inside wall thereof.The upper face of the flange and the lower face of the weighted valveplate should be machined or otherwise smoothed so as to permit a freeflow of liquid therebetween as the valve plate is lifted by the pressureof the stream flowing into the housing.

In the improved design, there will be utilized a depending shaft or rodmember from the underside of the liftable valve plate so that it extendsdownwardly through the open interior portion of the housing section.Such depending rod will serve as added weight to the valve plate member,although there may be provision on the top of the liftable valve platemember to add additional weights for adjustability of spray nozzleaction. In addition, suitable guide means may be provided inside thehousing section and extending around the depending rod such that theliftable valve plate member and the rod will be maintained in properaxial position. A still further feature of the present inventionembodies use of suitable vanes or fins on the underside of the valveplate or around the depending guide rod and below the valve plate, suchthat the velocity of the incoming fluid stream passing upwardly throughthe housing section to the open top there of will provide impact on thefaces of the vanes in a manner to cause rotation to the entire valveplate member and its depending rod section. The rotation of the movableand liftable valve plate member is is of value in precluding the cokingand sticking of the latter within the guide means or along the top ofthe housing section. In other words, at all times it is desired to havethe weight of the valve plate member and the depending rod, weights,etc., be counteracting the upward force of the fluid stream so as toinsure the lateral spraying of such stream outwardly through the narrowgap remaining between the underside of the valve plate and the top faceof the housing flange. Generally, there will be a presetting of thevalve plate member with sufficient Weights thereon to insure an adequatespraying action of the fluid stream, under low flow conditions, thatwill cause an impingement of the sprayed stream against the inside wallof the chamber in which the spray nozzle is positioned. Thus, if thesprayed stream is capable of reaching the inside wall during low flowrates, there will of course be adequate spraying of the inside wall ofthe particular chamber during instances of high flow rates.

Reference to the accompanying drawing and the following descriptionthereof will serve to more clearly set forth the improved features ofthe present invention as well as certain operating advantage obtained inconnection therewith.

Description of drawing FIGURE 1 of the drawing is a sectionalelevational view of one embodiment of a weighted spray nozzle with aliftable flat valve plate over a flanged and open-topped housingsection.

FIGURE 2 of the drawing is a cross-sectional view 3 through the upperpart of the housing and spray nozzle vanes, in accordance with the line22 shown in FIG- URE l.

FIGURE 3 of the drawing is a diagrammatic elevational view, partially insection, showing a liquid spray issuing from an improved weighted spraynozzle of the present invention so as to reach the chamber wall.

Referring now particularly to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawing there isshown a spray nozzle housing section 1 having an upper outwardlyprojecting flange section 2 and a side positioned fluid inlet nozzle 3.The lower portion of the housing section is closed with a removablebottom section 4 that has only a small drain hole 5. As a result allfluid flow must necessarily pass upwardly through the interior portionof the housing and out the open upper end portion to in turn contact andlift a vertically movable valve plate member 6. Preferably, theunderside of the liftable valve plate 6 is machined to have a smoothface and at the same time the upper face of the flange section 2 isprovided with a smooth surface such that there is an unobstructed freeflow of liquid permitted between the two surfaces in a full 360 circularpattern. When there is no liquid flow through the device, there will bea supporting of the valve plate 6 on the upper surface of flange section2; however, during all operating conditions there will be a lifting ofthe valve plate 6 from the flange and an outward uniform fluiddistribution therefrom, with the amount of lifting being dependent uponthe flow rate of the incoming fluid stream through nozzle 3.

In the present embodiment, there is shown a depending guide rod member 7extending axially from the center of the valve plate 6 and down into thehousing 1. Also, in order to maintain proper alignment of the guide rod7 and the valve plate 6, there are suitable upper and lower guide rings,8 and 9 respectively. The latter attach to and extend from the insidewall surface of housing section 1 in a manner to provide an easyslip-fit around the guide rod 7 without unduly blocking fluid flowthrough the housing itself. A suitable stop member 10 may also bethreaded, welded or otherwise attached ot the lower end of the guide rod7 whereby the latter will not be pulled upwardly through the lower guidemember 9.

The present design also has the upper end portion 7' of guide rod 7extending above the upper face of valve plate member 6 such thatsuitable removable weights, such as 11, may be positioned above thesurface of the liftable valve plate 6. It should of course be realizedthat other equivalent methods may be provided for adding weights to theliftable valve plate member 6 and the depending rod section 7; however,the extension of such rod up through the plate member 6 merely providesone convenient method of obtaining a short column or stub member, suchas 7, capable of retaining removable washerlike or donut shaped weights.

Also, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, ashereinbefore noted, the underside of the valve plate member 6, oralternatively at a level below the plate 6 and around the rod member 7,within the interior of the housing 1, there are provided suitable curvedor slanting vane means 12 which will serve to cause rotation to thevalve plate member 6 and its depending rod member 7 by reason of thefluid flow through the unit. It is not intended to limit the improveddesign to any predetermined number of vanes 12 or to any particularconfiguration. Such vanes may be of a straight slanting nature or may beof a curved spiraling design capable of giving rotational impetus to thevalve plate member and depending rod in a relatively slow manner. It isnot deemed necessary that there be any rapid rotation of the liftablevalve plate member or the depending guide rod 7 but, there shall be somemanner of movement and rotation so as to preclude any sticking orhanging-up of the valve plate 6 and guide rod 7 from the desired merelyvertical movement. Also, there appears to be less of a problem fromdeposition or coking of the guide rod 7 which will tend to cause it tostick within the guide member means 8 and 9. On the other hand, it hasstill further been found that a slight amount of spiral liquid flowprovided by the vane means 12 will do no harm and can perhaps enhanceobtaining a uniform fluid distribution through a full 360 circle fromthe outer periphery of flange section 2.

Referring now particularly to FIGURE 3 of the drawing there is showndiagrammatically a processing chamber 13 with a fluid inlet line 14 inturn connecting with a suitable weighted spray nozzle unit 1' in turnhaving a liftable valve plate number 6', all constructed substantiallyin accordance with that of the design set forth in FIGURES l and 2.Thus, where it is desired to maintain a fluid flow and spray of liquidfrom the unit 1' in a manner to obtain interior wall washing, as setforth hereinbefore as a desired requirement for a hydrocarbon flashingoperation, then the weight means on the valve plate 6 shall be such asto cause a sprayed liquid stream to at least reach the inside of thechamber Wall 13 for low flow rates, i.e. at a level such as L. In flashchamber operations, it is not unusual for the fluid stream to varysomewhat in nature in that there may be a varying mixture of vapor andliquid in the inlet line, such as 14; however, as long as the liquid atlow flow rates, will reach the chamber at L, then for higher liquid flowrates there will be a greater quantity of flow from the nozzle 1' and ahigher velocity more horizontal projectory for the sprayed liquidstream, whereby the fluid will tend to reach a higher point on theinside of the chamber wall 13, such as at a level H. As a result, therewill be obtained a constant down wash of hot hydrocarbon liquid flowalong the inside wall of the chamber and the substantial preclusion ofany undesired coking on the wall within the top portion of the flashchamber.

As a general rule, the periphery of flange 2 and the outer periphery ofthe valve plate number 6 are circular such that there will be a full 360radial flow of liquid therefrom without interference; however, suchflange and plate member 6 may be of a polygonal shape and still operableto permit radial fluid flow, although not necessarily to the same degreeof efliciency as obtainable with the circular peripheries.

As a minor modification, a few holes may be provided in the centralportion of the liftable valve plate 6 so that a minor amount of liquidcan be sprayed through the plate and upwardly into the processingchamber. Also, it may be pointed out that the depending guide rod 7 mayhave a cross-section other than circular and may have a varying diameteror cross-sectional area at different levels where design considerationsdeem that there is an immovement attained. However, generally, astraight rod will permit the design and utilization of similar guidemeans in the top and bottom of the housing. Adjustable or removableweights may be provided on the underside of the valve plate member 6 andto the rod 7, but from access aspects it is generally easier to providefor the external addition or removal of weight members at the top ofplate 6. In other words, internal weight adjustment would require thatthe lower plate or cap 4 be removed for each adjustment.

I claim as my invention:

1. A weighted spray nozzle adapted to provide a laterally projectingsprayed fluid stream through a full 360, which comprises in combination,an open-topped housing section with a side fluid inlet thereto, aliftable valve plate positioned over the open top of said housingsection, with such valve plate having a depending rod member verticallypositioned within said housing, rod guide means extending laterallywithin the interior of said housing section and encompassing said rodmember in a sliding fit therewith, and vane means positioned below theunderside of said valve plate whereby upward fluid flow lifting saidvalve plate and being sprayed peripherally therefrom will, in addition,provide a rotation to such valve plate and its depending rod member.

2. The spray nozzle of claim 1 further characterized in that saidopen-topped housing section has a projecting flange portion with agreater external diameter than said non-perforate liftable valve platepositioned thereabove, whereby laterally sprayed fluid will be projectedin an initial outward horizontal projectory rather than in a downwardmanner.

3. The spray nozzle of claim 1 further characterized in that saiddepending rod member extends axially through said valve plate for atleast a short distance thereabove whereby to provide means for holdingremovable Weight member on top .of said valve plate.

4. The spray nozzle of claim 1 further characterized in that said vanemeans are directly adjacent the underside of said valve plate and can beencompassed within the interior of said housing section.

5. The spray nozzle of claim 1 further characterized in that said vanemeans are spaced below the level of the underside of said plate meansand are around saiddepending rod member within the upper portion of saidhousing section.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,078,432 ll/ 1913 Hadden 239-2063,090,563 5/1963 Cheeseboro 239206 3,335,959 8/1967 Lockwood 239204FOREIGN PATENTS 488,251 11/1952 Canada.

EVERETT W. KIRBY, Primary Examiner.

